Posted by Pamela Lynn on November 27, 2001, at 0:01:03
In reply to Re: What is Anxiety?, posted by benzapp on November 26, 2001, at 18:59:44
I didn't even get past the "there are no such things as anxiety attacks" part. The rest of your stupid ramblings here were wasted on deaf ears!
You are arrogant and you are DEAD WRONG. I am sure that the 'founder' of this site, himself would tell you that anxiety attacks are quite real. I am SURE the other people that post and read here that suffer through them will tell you they are QUITE REAL, indeed.
I do HAVE a doctor that has gone to medical school, that treats many patients that suffer with anxiety/panic attacks and social anxiety attacks who tells me what I and MANY others experience is QUITE REAL.
Once again, you are arrogant and I feel a total fool. I will NOT post anymore on this subject, and my personal opinion is that you should keep your mouth shut on matters that you, obviously, no nothing about.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU!
P.L.
> My education shouldn't matter. This BBS is not intended to give you qualified medical advice, nor should you take anything you read here as coming from a doctor even if they claim to be one. Whether I claim to be a doctor or not is irrelevant, because you have no way of determining the truth to my statement.
>
> Yes, what I am saying is that there is no such thing as an anxiety attack. What you are asking is more of a question of semantics. The issue here is anxiety is a normal and necessary aspect of our physiology. All mammals experience it, and it has many evolutionary benefits. Anxiety is a powerful motivator, focusing us on things that keep us alive. Anxiety is relieved by things that are beneficial for us. Eating, sex, socializing with other humans, they all stimulate the release of natural endorphins. Anxiety only occurs in humans who are not living as humans evolved, being busy surving 80% of the time, with sleeping, eating and sex as the only means of recreation. Xanax works because it tricks your body into thinking something great for your survival just took place, and now its time to be calm.
>
> I am not accusing anyone of addiction, nor do I believe addiction is a problem in any circumstance. I don't think addiction to Xanax is any worse than addiction to food. What I am saying is while Xanax has many benefits, it does impair your cognitive functions and memory. If you do not mind dropping a few IQ points or having mild amnesia, thats fine. But, regardless of what you believe, continued usage of Xanax beyond a few weeks will cause addiction. Ask anyone who has gone through benzodiazepine withdrawl, it is not pleasant and lasks far longer than say, heroin withdrawl. The anxiety you will feel for a month after stopping Xanax will be far greater than any anxiety you experienced prior. Of course, withdrawl is never a problem when you don't stop taking the drug.
>
> If none of that bothers you, then case closed. It is your right to take Xanax for the rest of your life if necessary. I merely present the alternative that people who suffer from anxiety disorders are typically sedentary women with a tendency towards codependency and vicarious living via television watching. It is no mistake Xanax and its cousins were considered to be the house wife's drug in the 70's. There is no specific biological reason why someone should be predisposed to anxiety attacks other than high cortisol levels, associated with things like Tourette's syndrome. If you don't have tics, you are probably not naturally predisposed to anxiety attacks. If you look at people who have generalized anxiety disorder, they tend to fit a certain criteria. It is a biproduct of the cornicopia of wealth we enjoy in modern times. Anxiety doesn't exist amongst people who don't have time to be anxious.
>
> I absolutely guarantee that if you throw out your television, eat a proper diet, run at least five miles a day, have sex where you reach orgasm on a daily basis, and get a part time night job you will never have another anxiety attack. Not watching television will keep you from allowing your imagination to embody the lives of those you watch on TV. You will also stop looking at all those beautiful and successful people and start comparing yourself to them. Eating a proper diet will help you become confident in your physical attractiveness by keeping you thin. Running at least 5 miles a day will also help with this, but will cause massive release of endorphins that will keep you calm all day, and make you exhausted at night because your body will need down time to repair itself due to physical exertion. Sexual orgasm also causes a massive release of endorphins. Getting a part time night job will take up whatever free time you do have that you used to spend worrying, make you more exhausted, and give you extra money if you need it. Go to a third world country, where people spend 12 hours a day tilling the soil for their family, spending their free time sleeping, and you will not find anyone suffering from anxiety. It is simply illogical to think there is something unique to the physiology of white, middle class women that predisposes them to anxiety.
>
> I have no doubt there are many disorders that absolutely require medical attention, but I don't believe anxiety is one of them. I am not against anyone taking Xanax or anything else. I actually believe that you should be able be able to ingest whatever chemical you want, without government or medical supervision. Xanax is far less dangerous or addictive than alcohol, and should be dispensed just as freely IMHO. I also believe xanax and similar drugs are far safer and effective than SSRIs for treating anxiety. If you must use drugs, I would suggest you stop taking whatever antidepressant you are on, and take 1mg of lorazepam 2-3 times a day. Lorazepam lasts much longer than Xanax and causes less cognitive impairment. Dosing 2-3 times a day will provide all day coverage.
>
> But you can take my advice or leave it. Be chill, and be free.
>
> > Hmmmmm, are you trying to say that there is really no such 'thing' as a 'true' anxiety attack..again, I ask you...are you a doctor? Just wondering????
>
> >
> > BTW, I am NOT addicted to Xanax, I simply have them, in a very low dose, for when I get an anxiety/panic attack....my attacks are REAL, and they come out of the blue, as they do for many people I know...I AM in therapy, again-btw. I would never tell a diabetic that they were addicted to their insulin....just as someone who suffers from anxiety/panic attacks might need something to calm them....very rarely do you hear of people having these attacks whilst the are in a session with their therapist.
>
> >
> > You can bet I take my depression AND my anxiety/panic attacks very, very seriously. I saw my PDoc today and got a re-fill on my Xanax, right along with my anti-depressant meds. My shrink (I call her a shrink in the MOST endearing of terms!) monitors me very closely with all my meds., no 'addiction' here.
> >
> > I say, if you suffer from true 'horrible' anxiety/panic attacks that you should see your Doctor-get some meds. if you are so inclined to do so....do your homework and ask the questions, but there is no way that one should have to unduly suffer through an attack!
> >
> > P.L.
> >
> > > Some people seem to get overally concerned with anxiety at certain points. As anxiety over anxiety increases, you get a vicious cycle that continues until you freak out and have a panic attack. If you have never had anxiety before, it is unlikely you have high cortisol levels and you just spend too much time worrying. Cognitive therapy can be very useful here. Anxiety is one of the few disorders that responds very well to psychotherapy.
> > >
> > > Xanax will work, as I said. But xanax in particular can cause a number of problems, its rapid onset and intense effects can cause hypersensitivity. The drug works, but requires higher doses at a more rapid rate than other similar drugs. When the drug wears off, you tend to have greater anxiety. Xanax is a highly addictive drug. It also affects cognition and memory more than others. Xanax makes me feel like I got hit on the side of the head with a 2x4. If you are comfortable knowing you addicted to it and it doesn't impair your life, thats fine. Thats your choice.
> > >
> > > But I would suggest a rigorous workout regiment and cognitive therapy first.
> > >
> > > Also, anxiety is not like other mental health disorders. It is caused either by drugs that affect the whole anxiety response, or high cortisol levels. OTher than that, it comes from your own thinking. No one can read your mind, so if you don't have a medical problem, aren't withdrawling from drugs, or taking something like cocaine, you won't find an answer.
> > >
> > > > Holy Moly!!! Are you a doctor??? Wow, what an explanation!
> > > >
> > > > I don't know about other people out there, but my anxiety (panic) attacks can come CLEAR out of the blue-in fact they usually always do. I can be just like, sitting and watching a comedy on the tube and WAM I start to get an attack. My shrink told me it had something to do with the dopemine levels in my body, etc....(she started getting overly technical and I don't 'do' technical too well! LOL). I do remember the word dopemine though, in her technical answer to me.
> > > >
> > > > I-to date-have yet to come down from an anxiety attack on my own. I NEED my Xanax to help get me through, not alot of it mind you, just one little pill. I also do my breathing techniques that my awesome shrink has taught me to do.
> > > >
> > > > I don't have nearly as many of these attacks as I used to, but they are very, very 'unsettling' at best when they happen...and i'll be honest here, NO text book answers as to the 'why' of them happening makes me feel any better about them. I KNOW something happens to my body, that is obvious. I just want to get the heck over the attack as quick as possible, and pray that the next one will be further appart then the previous one was. I have to say, the anxiety happens first off, then the panic sets in...that is what happens to me. I think all people are different in so many ways and that we all deal differently with these 'attacks'. I envy the people who are tough enough to ride them out, so-to-speak, without taking a sedative, or something along those lines, to calm down!! Hopefully someday I will be anxiety attack free!
> > > >
> > > > P.L.
poster:Pamela Lynn
thread:84880
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011123/msgs/85259.html